Aung San Suu Kyi's residence fence repainted, flags renewed

Dec 31, 2006, 11:54 GMT

Yangon - Fencing around Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's lakeside home was reported Sunday to have been repainted and the fighting peacock flags of the democrats replaced with new ones, in what could be a sign the military may ease restrictions.

The military which has ruled with an iron fist since 1962 could be willing to ease the restrictions around the popular leader, who has been under house arrest since May 2003, according to some observers in Yangon.

The teashop cynics say however that although the fence might look nicer it was still in a dilapidated condition.

Even the optimists in a town crawling with informers for the military know that it is a sign of how dire the political situation is for the opposition that a fence painting can elicit comment, said one diplomat.

The re-arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi, after a brutal ambush by militia and thugs, wiped away many already thin hopes for progress towards democracy.

The regime rejected the opposition National League for Democracy's overwhelming victory in a 1990 general election and has repeated crushed signs of dissent or independent politics.

A carload of goods was seen entering the compound of University Avenue on Saturday, according to the word around town. Some analysts were 'wondering whether to smile or cry', noted the diplomat.